Thoughts

This is Mary. I had the opportunity to sit down with Nancy yesterday and have a long talk with her about everything that is happening, things she is thinking and feeling, and about questions we all have about everything. I am not the best at translating my thoughts into words, and I know I get ...

Thank you, Kathleen Petitjean, for your inspiring Viewpoint in today’s South Bend Tribune!  Your passion for what is right is clearly portrayed.  Let’s hope our elected officials, policemen, cyclists, and motorists read it carefully! See Kathleen’s article here. I want so badly for our community to change for the better regarding bicycle safety.  Since Patrick’s ...

Oh my God!  Patrick died!  Oh, God, the pain is unbearable!!  Why is it still so intense?!  I am in utter disbelief!  I am not waking *up from* a nightmare.  I am slowly waking *into* a nightmare!!  Each day, the realization of my Patrick’s death becomes more literal–it is becoming more real. The pain now ...

All of you wonderful readers, I am reading your comments and emails.  I so feel your genuine concern.  I’m not alone, all of you are holding me up.  My mother and sisters are my tangible lifeline.  They’re setting up grief counseling for me and the kids. I am aware of the stages or cycles of ...

I just wanted to say a few words about my sweet little sister, Nancy. I love her so very much, no one can understand the bond with, and love I have for Nancy. I love all of my sisters and brothers equally, but Nancy has been extra special to me. After my husband died, I ...

Many, many people have since expressed their desires to cycle more frequently but are afraid to do so due to the current unsafe road environment in Michiana. Not long ago (Aug. 28), another young Michiana family man, Pete Kaczor, was killed while riding his bike, training for a triathlon.  Community awareness of the bike safety ...

My family, friends, and I attended Pete Kaczor’s Memorial Bike Ride this evening.  I was able to meet some of Pete’s family and friends and learn more of what a wonderful man Pete was.  I can’t believe I was doing this again so soon after Pat’s memorial ride! I was glad to see the media ...

This is Laura.  I’m 8.  I had a dream with Papa in it this morning.  It was a dream in my dream where Tommy, all my cousins, and I were fighting over taffy, and I went back in the bedroom, and I saw Papa just sitting on the bed and Mama was still sleeping.  Then, ...

The last couple days I’ve been feeling like I’ve gained some footing in the sucking mud pit I was in for the last week or two.  My entire body, mind, and spirit have been whirling in a tornado of shaken beliefs, thoughts, and ideas. For the most part, I’ve only hurriedly gone through Pat’s material ...

Hi, I’m Joey.  I’m 12 years old and I wanted to write something about my Papa.  Deep breaths. Exhale loudly. Quiet laughter. In. Out.  What do I see when I think about Papa? Him. I picture Papa with his shirt off outside just smiling. He’s teaching me to roller blade. Just the other day, I ...

Since Patrick’s accident, Michiana has endured some of the most beautiful summer weather I’ve ever noticed.  This week it started raining and didn’t stop until it reached record rainfall levels this weekend. The last few months my family’s life has had that metaphorical record rainfall. I think it started early this summer when the mama ...

Since Patrick’s accident, Michiana has experienced some of the most beautiful summer weather I’ve ever noticed.  This week it started raining and didn’t stop until it reached record rainfall levels this weekend. The last few months my family’s life has had that metaphorical record rainfall–we’ve seen pets die, Pat die, Carston die.  A few weeks ...

Our paddling friend Sonja Gilman is dedicating her 5th annual St. Joseph River Canoe/Kayak Race to Patrick. Date/Time: Saturday, September 27th, 2008. Race starts at 10:00 A.M. Registration begins at 8:30 A.M. Place: Registration and Race start at the boat ramp across from Memorial Park off Northside Blvd near IUSB in South Bend, IN. Race ...

The last few weeks I have been in a searching mode.  I’m vulnerable.  I’m open to all new thoughts, beliefs, ideas, awarenesses.  I plead for direct, absolute, indisputable answers, although I know this grief journey will only lead me back to the ambiguity of life. Lyrical messages, natural metaphors, dreams, coincidences, and signs abound teasingly.  ...

We wanted everyone to have a chance to check this out. This is a music video by the band  “Simple Plan” – they have put together a video that is very powerful and effective in showing the impact upon an entire family when one person is hit and killed by a drunk driver. Our entire ...

Yesterday was Shane McGee’s sentencing.  I have been silent (on this blog) on my opinions about my husband’s killer, but my conscience and soul have been grappling with the issue since the moment I learned Patrick was hit. I have a lot I want to write about on this issue, because I feel it’s important ...

This is Mary – I am NOT good at communicating my ideas, so please forgive me if this is not very clear – I will try to get my thoughts across on this concept. We were involved last Monday, 9/29/08 in a meeting involving Shane McGee, and a lawyer who specializes in mediating between victims ...